Sunday, September 13, 2015

Sunday Post #99

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

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I am sorry. It's been a few long weeks here. I have been trying to get caught up with life as school started for kiddo and things are all in flux again. And my step-daughter got married and I've been sick. There was a US holiday thrown in. Then kiddo got sick. *sigh* it's just been crazy with time juggling.

So this post is going to be for two weeks of posts and books.

I also attempted to start watching Agent Carter today. However, the first 3 episodes are not available anywhere to watch for free. My On Demand only has the last 5 episodes from the 1st season. So that's where I started. If the first 3 episodes become available, I'll have to pick them up in my viewings at some point. I only got through 2 episodes this morning and do enjoy Agent Carter. I'm planning on being caught up by the time season 2 starts. :)


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The Fit Booker:

Goal:  Workout in any form of exercise (or on Wii Fit) 2x's a week. (to feel better and hope to drop a few pants sizes)

How did I do last week... I did get to exercise this week.
1st week:
   Tuesday:  walk the track for about 3.22 miles for 1 hour.

2nd week:
   I've not been walking with the terrible cough I have and the struggle to breath. I'm hoping to get back to walking (not jogging) at least one day with all that's going on.

Episode ?:
I repeated the same episode from last week as I didn't have my head phones while walking. So I didn't get a new episode in. I'm hoping to get back on track this week and get to the next episode I have downloaded and waiting for me.


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What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow
AND
Work reads as well.

Current Audiobook:
The Crystal Bridge by Charlie Pulsipher


Current Podcast Book Listen:
None, now back to Audio books


Finished Last Week: 
The Death of Dulgath by Michael J. Sullivan

Audiobooks from Audible:
A Witch's Path by N.E. Connooly
Crypt of Bone by J.F. Penn

Finished Podcast Book Listen:
Nothing

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Last Week on the Blog:


Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)




Posts:


Around the Internet...


Reviews:

Podcast Review:





Mama Bitchstress Reviews:



GIVEAWAYS:



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This Week to Come on the Blog:

I... need to look at what I have ready to go. It's been crazy with time around here.

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Received Last Weeks:


Review & Review Consideration:
Swords and Scoundrels by Julia Knight
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Goodreads Synopsis:
Two siblings.
Outcasts for life.... together.
What could possibly go wrong?


Vocho and Kacha are champion duelists: a brother and sister known for the finest swordplay in the city of Reyes. Or at least they used to be-until they were thrown out of the Duelist's Guild.

As a last resort, they turn reluctant highwaymen. But when they pick the wrong carriage to rob, their simple plans to win back fame and fortune go south fast.

After barely besting three armed men and a powerful magician, Vocho and Kacha make off with an immense locked chest. But the contents will bring them much more than they've bargained for when they find themselves embroiled in a dangerous plot to return an angry king to power....

Swords and Scoundrels is the first book in The Duelist's Trilogy -- a tale of death, magic, and family loyalty.

Audio Books Requested for Review:
Travel Glasses by Chess Desalls
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Goodreads Synopsis:
Calla Winston’s mobile devices sit in a corner of her room, covered in dust. Weeks ago, she shared photos and laughs with her best online friend. Now, after having felt the sting of betrayal, she prefers being hidden and friendless. She equates privacy with security and technology with pain.

Then she meets Valcas, an otherworldly time traveler who traverses time and space with a pair of altered sunglasses. When an ethereal being knocks Calla to the ground near her family’s lakeside cottage, Valcas uses the Travel Glasses to help her escape. He offers his further protection in exchange for a promise. Intrigued by Valcas and the possibility of time travel, Calla accepts. That is until she learns that his search for her was no mere coincidence.

Calla sets off on her own, taking the Travel Glasses with her. Torn between searching for her estranged father and reuniting with the rest of her family, she tracks down the inventor of the Travel Glasses in hopes of discovering more about Valcas’ past and motivations. The Travel Glasses take Calla’s mistrust of technology to all new levels. But without them, she’ll never make it back home. With Valcas hot on her trail, Calla hopes to find what she’s looking for before he catches up.

The Call to Search Everywhen is a serial series of novel-length installments. Travel Glasses is YA fantasy filled with metafiction and other literary twistiness. It's a thought-provoking narrative about trust, relationships, reality and illusion. 

Insight Kindling by Chess Desalls
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Goodreads Synopsis:
Calla faces charges against her for changing the past. Her use of the Travel Glasses resulted in the creation of two writings that affected the lives of Edgar, the inventor of the Travel Glasses, and Valcas, their prior owner. Now Calla must explain her actions before the Time and Space Travel Agency.

The hearing does not end well. The travel commissioner finds Calla guilty as charged and forces her to choose between two harsh penalties. Despite the risk of becoming lost herself, Calla accepts a dangerous travel mission that may help her find her father. She teams up with a group of talented travelers. While working with them, she soon discovers that she has a special travel talent of her own.

Pursued by the sentient being of white light that’s been tracking her father’s bloodline, Calla fears her newfound talents may not be enough to protect her and her teammates before they complete their mission.

Insight Kindling is the second installment in The Call to Search Everywhen serial series.

The Crystal Bridge by Charlie Pulsipher
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Goodreads Synopsis:
Kaden is your typical 16 year old boy who can open wormholes to far away worlds. His first trip almost killed him. Now he spends hours inside his Egg, a glowing sphere only he can see, where he glimpses wonder and adventure, but is afraid to travel again.

Aren has the ultimate gift of empathy, seeing into the memories of others and experiencing them as though they were her own. When she turns her ability toward Kaden, it fails to open his memories to her, seeing in their place a golden shell with impossible images flashing along the interior. Aren reaches out to one of these images, plunging Kaden and herself into a world full of unknown danger on the edge of war.

James, a research geneticist for Omegaphil Pharmaceuticals, recreates extinct species with the help of an AI simulation program and the nano nueral transmitters in his head. But, to find all the genetic codes he needs, his altered brain will do anything and go anywhere to find the answers.

Meanwhile, deep within the emptiness between universes, an ancient creature awakes. With inhuman patience it has waited millennia to be freed from its prison and the existence of both worlds is threatened if it can find a way out.
 

A Witch's Trial by N.E. Conneely
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
When Michelle pulls an old book out of a fire, she finds answers and heartbreak. The book confirms that a demon walks the land, though according to legend they were all dead. Now, she needs to rediscover the secrets to killing demons before her loved ones fall victim. 
Elron’s budding relationship with Michelle suffers a blow when his mate returns. While he struggles with love and guilt, it becomes clear that not everyone gets their happily-ever-after. 

This is the third book in a series, following Witch for Hire and A Witch's Path. Your reading experience will be greatly enhanced if you've read the previous books.

Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:
Cursed by Fire by Danielle Annett
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Goodreads Synopsis:
It has been six years since the Awakening and peace in Spokane, Washington is still tenuous at best. The vampires and shifters are all vying for control of the city and the humans seem to be the ones suffering the consequences, or so it seems.

Aria Naveed has spent the last two years of her life fighting to make the many wrongs of the world right, but soon finds out that the humans aren’t as weak as they appear and may be a more terrifying foe than any of the other races combined.

When a stranger rolls into town with trouble on his heels, Aria finds herself trapped in the middle of a battle that could cost her more than she has bargained for as a fight for justice turns into an unexpected fight for her life.

Heart of the Rose by K.L. Bone
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Goodreads Synopsis:
In this sequel to Black Rose, reunite with the captains of the Immortal Guard and witness Mara and Edward at the beginning of their epic love story, which spans more than a millennium of heartache, pain, and undying devotion. 

When Edward is sent on a mysterious quest by the ruthless queen, nineteen-year-old Mara—the youngest sub-captain to ever serve the Royal Guard—vowed to await his return, never anticipating decades would pass without word of his fate. The noble captain is taken prisoner by a rival court where he is forced to endure years of brutal torment at the hands of his captors. His life clings to but a single thought—Mara. 

Refusing to accept that her love will never return, Mara clutches to a hope which defies the bounds of reason. However as years pass, memories fade from comfort to unbearable grief. As Mara prepares to accept the unimaginable loss, a sinister creature of roses and shadow haunts her dreams. Dreams of blood. Dreams of torment. Dreams of Edward. 

The dark presence lingers, and Mara finds herself trapped in a certainty she fears no other will believe—even those closest to her heart. She must choose between honoring her vows to the immortal courts to which she has sworn her life, or leaving to search for the man who possesses her soul. 

Dive into the beginning of the tale that shapes the most feared, most loved, and most revered captain in the history of the immortal courts.


Free Ebooks:

(On my Kindle App) Links to books under title. They may or may not be free at this time.
The Lady in Blue by Kimberly G. Giarratano
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Goodreads Synopsis:
The Lady in Blue stole a car and fled Ash. 
Out on Devlin Road she emerged from a crash. 
She wandered the woods with her head dripping blood. 
Then drowned in the river in water and mud. 

All her life criminology student Liz Bloom has heard this rhyme, meant to scare young campers. When she’s about to take on her first cold case, Liz learns the eerie song is about her great aunt Lana. Liz isn’t big on studying, but she does have one advantage most criminologists don’t -- she can speak to the dead. 
In 1955, Lana Bloom was an eighteen-year-old beauty with Hollywood dreams who fell in love with a stranger. When Lana died in a bloody car crash, all signs pointed to the mysterious man who was never seen again. 
As Lana unravels the details surrounding her last week of life, the tale she weaves for Liz is one of desire, betrayal, and murder. But if Lana can’t identify her killer, not only will a murderer escape punishment, but her ghostly form will cease to exist. And Liz will have failed the most important assignment of all – family. 

Crossroads by Mary Ting
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Goodreads Synopsis:
Protecting her from the fallen was his duty. Falling in love was never part of his plan. Loving her was forbidden. Being with her was all that mattered, even if it meant he would be exiled for all eternity. Claudia Emerson's life is about to change when her good friend, who coincidentally shares the same first and last name, dies in a tragic accident. Distraught at the loss of her friend, Claudia's dreams become tumultuous, and through them she mysteriously travels to another world called Crossroads. There, she unexpectedly meets Michael, a nephilim--half angel, half human. Now that she's been there, fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special, and it is up to Michael and the other nephilim to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed about who she really is, and the true identities of the people she loves most.

One Wilde Night by Jenn Stark
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Goodreads Synopsis:
Tarot-reading artifact hunter Sara Wilde has had her share of tough assignments, but this one just might take the cake. When her newest client hires her to steal a fertility idol from an Amazonian sex-and-death cult, she finds herself south of the equator and shoulder deep in true believers, while Rio de Janeiro gears up for the closing celebrations of Carnival. 

Stealing the idol is one thing, however. Keeping it is another. 

The arcane black market has drawn a host of cutthroat operatives and Sara’s now in their sights. In a race across one of the most colorful cities in South America on its most famed night of the year, Sara must navigate cunning enemies, backstabbing allies, a fifty-foot wedding cake float and a new, sensually mysterious contact who may be friend or foe… and whose name she’ll never learn if she doesn’t make it to dawn alive. 

No matter what the cards predict, it’s going to be One Wilde Night.

Come, Darkness by Rebecca Hamilton
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Goodreads Synopsis:
TRIGGER WARNING: This book deals with the sensitive subject of sexual abuse. 

Rose desperately wants to escape the abuse of the father who impregnated her and the dark spirits that haunt her life. Being thrust from Georgia 1961 into the era of Salem’s infamous witch trials isn’t what she had in mind, and now her daughter is left hopelessly out of reach. 

The only way to return to her daughter is by facing certain death to banish the dark spirits that plague Salem. If she doesn’t eliminate these dark spirits in time, they will destroy civilization and trap her in this strange new place, ages away from her daughter. 

Even if she can complete the task in time to return home to save her daughter, there’s still one problem: she’s falling in love with a man who can’t return with her. Achieving her goals will force her to choose between the only man who has never betrayed her and a daughter she can’t quite remember but will never forget. 

A heart-wrenching tale of a mother’s love for her daughter, this romantic paranormal fantasy underlines the depravity of both historical and modern society while capturing the essence of sacrifice and devotion.

Her Sweetest Downfall by Rebecca Hamilton
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Goodreads Synopsis:
Ophelia's been successful at hiding her true identity, until the mark of the serpent appears on her neck—a death sentence, should it be seen by anyone in her town. Hiding the mark might save her from falling victim to the witch hunts of her era, but the scorching sensation it carries can’t be ignored.

When the mysterious Ethan is sent to collect her for a life of something more, she learns concealing the mark is the least of her concerns. She’s destined to do a new task—to join a dark, supernatural world and protect the future of people she may never meet.

What she doesn’t know—what she learns too late—is that her initiation won’t be complete until she kills the man who’s captured her heart.

Prophecy's Queen by Timothy Bond
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Goodreads Synopsis:
In this prequel novella to the epic fantasy series The Triadine Saga, we follow the Elven Princess Rozlynn as she struggles with her role in The Prophecy and what she must do to keep the world from falling into darkness.

This is a story of love and conflicts, personal growth, and freedom to choose your own destiny. The world of Elves, Dwarves and humans, is inexorably tied to magic, wizards and dragons, as the battle of good versus evil, light versus darkness, wages on.

Will Rozlynn make the sacrifices and the choices necessary to ensure that The Prophecy stays on the right path? Will her sister, the Elven Queen, prevent her from making her own choice? Will Rozlynn's love for an Elven Hunter betray her and lead her astray? Will fate intervene with Prophecy's Queen?

Join Rozlynn and many of your favorite characters from The Watcher's Keep and The Dragon Rises to find out how it all started.
 

Alien Hunters by Daniel Arenson
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Goodreads Synopsis:
Got trouble with aliens? Call the Alien Hunters. 

A group of scruffy mercenaries, the Alien Hunters travel the galaxy in their starship, a mechanical dragon that spits out plasma like dragonfire. If an alien has invaded your space station, asteroid mine, or lunar colony, the Alien Hunters will remove the pest for you. Low rates. No questions asked. 

Raphael "Riff" Starfire, a guitarist-turned-gunslinger, and Nova, a warrior-princess with an electric whip and a bad attitude, lead the Alien Hunters. They’re the solar system’s best pest controllers. Yet now they face a threat all their guns and grit might be unable to stop. 

The skelkrins, a race of apex predators from deep space, are swarming across the galaxy. Planets burn in their wake. As the skelkrins draw closer to Earth, will Riff and Nova be the ones hunting aliens . . . or will aliens hunt them? 

ALIEN HUNTERS -- a space opera adventure for fans of Star Wars, Firefly, and Guardians of the Galaxy


(On my Nook)



Free Audio Books/Stories:




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Reviews to Come:

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron
The Sentinel by Chris Lester
The Muse by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Whispers in the Wood by Chris Lester
Danube Waves by Katharina Bordet
Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan
Heartstealer by K.T. Bryski
Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton
Spark by Starla Huchton
7th Son: 7 Days anthology by J.C. Hutchins
House of Grey 6 by Collin Earl
The Secret World Chronicle: World Divided by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Waiting On by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Revolutions by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
Heir to Kale by K.L. Bone
Tales from the Archives Vol. 4: #3 The Black Empress
The Jester by Michael J. Sullivan
Professional Integrity by Michael J. Sullivan
Tales from the Archives Vol 4 #4 - Down by the River
Tales from the Archives Vol 4 #5 - Old Sinner's Bones
The Death of Dulgath by Michael J. Sullivan

Friday, September 11, 2015

Audio Book Review: Crypt of Bone

Crypt of Bone

By:  J.F. Penn

Publish Date:  December 2011, Audiobook July 29, 2013

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 25 mins
Narrated By:  Veronica Giguere

Genre:  Thriller

Series:  2nd in ARKANE series; 1st Book ~ Stone of Fire, Book 6 ~ Gates of Hell, Book 7 ~ One Day in New York

Impression:  Buried in the bone crypts are the pages of the Devil's Bible and can bring forth a demon in the speaker, to kill.

Synopsis:
The prophecy in Revelation declares that a quarter of the world must die … And now a shadowy organization has the ability to fulfill these words. Can one woman stop the abomination before it’s too late?

ISRAEL. A victim of Jerusalem Syndrome jumps to his death from the top of the Western Wall, his body smashed on the ancient stones. Another disembowels himself under the scrawled figure of the Pale Horse of the Apocalypse with the chilling words, “God told me to do it.”

Dr Morgan Sierra travels to Israel to investigate the deaths and becomes embroiled in an international conspiracy that will use cutting-edge technology to carry an ancient curse to mankind, and threaten those she loves.

Morgan joins agent Jake Timber at ARKANE, a secret government agency investigating the supernatural. Together they must hunt down the Devil’s Bible, pursued all the way by the evil forces of Thanatos.

From the catacombs of Paris to the skeletal ossuaries of Sicily and the Czech Republic, Morgan and Jake must find the Devil’s Bible and stop the curse being released into the world before one in four are destroyed in the coming holocaust. Because in just seven days, the final curse will be spoken and the prophecy will be fulfilled.

Previously published as PROPHECY.

First Sentence:
Blood has seeped into the stones of Jerusalem for millennia.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

Morgan jumps on the plane to Jerusalem Israel when her friend, Dr. Dinah Mizrahi calls. Dinah has two suicides at her Institute where she treats Jerusalem Syndrome patients, those who think they are religious people or messengers of God. Morgan wants to help her friend, but she has found she enjoys the rush of adventure. When she gets there, Morgan recognizes the symbol from those that were after her and her sister three months ago. The pale horse. When she starts to ask about the head phones for the audio stimulation's run on the patients, Izra Institute explodes. Morgan knows it's a cover-up to stop questions from being asked. The prophecy has been leaked. A quarter of the world will die... Morgan knows who's behind the events and makes a call, to ARKANE.

Veronica is back voicing Morgan and all the characters again. I do enjoy the different attitudes and feel I get from the characters as Veronica voices them. (I really did grow to dislike Natasha, thanks to Veronica's voice and J.F.'s writing of her.) Some moments of information, about people or places, felt quick in speaking. I repeated a few to catch all the details. But things do move fast with Morgan and there is a lot of information given.

I know J.F. jumps in with a quick hitter at the beginning, but it takes me a few listens to get on page with the beginning and all the details. The first scene is a deadly one, as seems to be the trait of the books and I enjoy this, but I also know there are a lot of details here that set the stage for what's to come. I like to get as much out of this moment as I can.

Morgan returns to the world of ARKANE and accepts their job offer when she sees the pale horse symbol and the destruction they are ready to release on the world. Morgan and Jake are paired as they worked so well together in Stone of Fire. They are both ready to find who is the lead of Thanatos. Their first mission, to find the Devil's Bible and bring it to ARKANE where it can be kept safe. If it's found by anyone, the verses of evil when read can turn the speaker into one in extreme blood lust, killing all in violent ways.

Oh! We get to see the leader of the Thanatos group. And it's not a pleasure to do so. Well, it is, to see him but the things he has the group do and the way they worship... Not good. But we get a feel for the creation of this group and what they are striving for.

We get to see some of the history with a few characters. Ben with Morgan's parents and when he first saw the sign of Thanatos. There is a small glimpse at her parents as they worked before the girls were born. Then the Director of ARKANE is also known to Ben, and has a past. But...can people change and grow from that past?

I found it interesting the way J.F. worked audio stimulation to help stimulate the brain in different areas to help with depression or anxiety into the story. This was an interesting twist with how it's approached and used, and of course the bad guy finds his way to it.

We do spend time in the crypts and see the bones and skulls of those long dead. Even bodies that are preserved by the chemicals of one crypt. So neat. I didn't feel creeped out. The bones and bodies feel as a part of the design of the rooms. They all seem to have stories to tell with their clothing, if they have any, and their bones.

The action adventure is here, but this book doesn't feel as the height of action as later books in the series. Start at the beginning with Morgan as it grows with each adventure. I do enjoy the religious mysteries and unraveling the depth of the artifacts in ways that are magical. I do look forward to many more books with Morgan! Though I'm slightly bummed that someone I've enjoyed may not be around for the next adventure. It's not stopping me though!

Monday, September 7, 2015

Audio Book Review: A Witch's Path

A Witch's Path

By:  N.E. Conneely

Publish Date:  September 4, 2014, Audiobook August 8, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 26 mins
Narrated By:  Jeff Hays

Genre:  Paranormal

Series:  2nd in Witch for Hire series: 1st Book ~ Witch for Hire

Impression:  Crafty magical world with a witch making her way in life, and helping in dangerous moments - with cops and personally.

Synopsis:
After a near death experience, Michelle has vowed to do her job, magical assistance for the police, and leave the heroics to someone else. Besides, life should be settling down for her since the trolls have been captured and the sorceress was neutralized. Unfortunately, the power behind the sorceress wants her dead, Elron starts acting funny, a magical creature wreaks havoc on a town, and there’s trouble with the werewolves. As if that wasn’t enough, the clans have started to notice her power and she has more reasons than ever to fear the clans.

Things go from bad to worse when Michelle’s best friend is abducted, and she must decide between her friend and her vow to stay out of dangerous situations.

First Sentence:
"Oaks Consulting, Michelle speaking," I said as I answered the phone.

Purchase At:
Amazon 

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

Things were to be calming down since the sorceress's death. Michelle is busier than ever. She bounces from one crises to the next. Gremlin troubles, evil presence, looking for gargoyles, suicides of teens, a T-rex attack, and preparing to teach classes. Then her friend Amber is worried she's being stalked and suddenly kidnapped. All while trying to not focus or worry over the death threats she's been getting. It starts to wonder if it's all connected. What demon is out there hunting her and why?

Elron is still at the lodge and working for the university at their garden. They want him full time to build more gardens and are willing to give him a perfect position he can't refuse. Not even with his Calling drawing him to other things.

This was such an enjoyable listen! Jeff is talented with voices. (Which I found out are all him! Not synthesized.) All the different voices bring the story to life and makes it easy and fun to listen to. Jeff adds the emotion of delay in speaking words or that infliction can add, all what we do not get when reading. We hear the concern and worry in voice to go with the words on the page.

Michelle is an amazingly organized woman. It sounds like a lot is happening, which it is, but it's spread out through a few days and Michelle is great at setting things up around the emergency moments. I love that Michelle always keeps a level head and keeps moving forward. With this personality, all the crazy happening around her doesn't feel like it's crazy. She is also responsible and respects the proper ways. Michelle does her best to do as she's to do within the law. She then comes to a point that she can't wait any longer and has to act, but she knows very well what the consequences are and will accept them for her friends life.

Elron is present and wants to help Michelle, so he does show up a bit more to banter with Michelle. Elron still has a past he is working through, and a past that will haunt him (and Michelle...). Michelle and Elron finally come to a friendship that is blooming. It's lovely to see them together here and learn about their pasts as they talk. Elron should be around for a while, at least I'm hoping.

All the characters are a pleasure to read/listen to in this world. They are all diverse in their personalities and actions. I enjoy the troubles and ideas they all bring to the pages.

The story has grown from what we scratched the surface of in the first book. The writing feels as it's improved in this book as the story starts to deepen. The cases are becoming darker, and messier. We learn more about clans and Michelle's family. The clans... We do start to see a bit more of the clan talk, not much but we do learn the connections to Michelle and that she's special.

I've enjoyed the calming ways of Michelle as she fights the evils and dangers of this world. It's a vast world of all sorts of beings and creatures and I look forward to listening to many more stories of Michelle and her adventures.

Book Review: Pure Blooded

Pure Blooded

By:  Amanda Carlson

Publish Date:  June 16, 2015

Format:  Print, 284pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  5th in Jessica McClain series; .5 Novella ~ Blooded, 1st Book ~ Full Blooded, 2nd Book ~ Hot Blooded, 3rd Book ~ Cold Blooded, 4th Book ~ Red Blooded

Impression:  Jessica fights on for her life and grows stronger for it.

Synopsis:
Jessica arrives back from the Underworld to find her father embroiled in a battle against the Made wolves. She and her crew drop everything to join them.

Once she arrives, the threat is after her. Jessica is lured into danger when her adversary takes something precious from her. With help from an unlikely source, Jessica goes up against her creator in a battle that will decide the path of everyone involved. She must war against a new set of foes, ones who could not only steal her power, but could take her soul as well.

First Sentence:
"Juanita! Juanita!" I yelled into the cell phone.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles


My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested this book for review from the publisher.

Something far more ancient than any Supe world has seen is after Jessica as she rushes to her father and pack to help against the Made wolves, now that she's returned from the Underworld. The one guiding the Made wolves is more than a simple priestess and wants Jessica's power. But Jessica is determined to not give up her wolf and save those in this area from the dark magic this woman possesses. Jessica has irritated one of the Hags with killing Ardat Lili in the Underworld, and she's determined to set Fate right. By killing Jessica, at any means.

The whole crew is back together! We get to have Rourke time along with seeing Jessica's little loyal pack together. It's so nice seeing them all interact with each other. We learn a detail about the adorable Danny. He's found his mate! And I love that we get some warrior woman time with Marcy as Jessica's backup. She is one power-kicking witch. Marcy is fun as she comes into her own in battles here. She has great sayings that make me smile through the rough moments of fighting. Jessica's neighbor, Juanita, plays an important part in this book. She doesn't actually appear with the crew in person but from a distance she's making a huge impact. She's more than we ever expected!

When you pick up a Jessica McClain story, expect to not breath as you read. Jessica is woman on the move and always in dire danger. She's strong and all the powers are seeking her magic. They come at her constantly and she is always on the go. Thank goodness Jessica has the strength at her side that she does.

This book is like two in one. The troubles with the Made wolves ends here. But we also face new trials for Jessica. She's always learning something new about her wolf and her powers. This time she learns about her position on the Coalition as well. Jessica also finds a new person to bring into her fold and family. Though this is where the story ends and this new person is exactly part of the family yet. We are left with knowing there are more situations that Jessica must step into. She's going to help a new person who's also a victim. Jessica still has the promise to the witches to help find Tally. And then there are the Hags...

I always enjoy Jessica's adventures. I'm one that loves the fast moving adventures with deep worlds. And Jessica gives me just that with all her action and large world of supernaturals. I will always be waiting for the next installment of Jessica and her battles to be released.

Friday, September 4, 2015

Audio Book Review: Curse of the Alpha

Curse of the Alpha (Episodes 1 & 2)

By:  Tasha Black

Publish Date:  December 14, 2014, Audiobook July 6, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 3 hrs 46 mins
Narrated By:  Addison Spear

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Series:  1st & 2nd Episodes of A Tarker's Hollow serial series

Impression:  A strong female who wants NOTHING to do with being a wolf and to love a human. She'll fight to make it so.

Synopsis:
Step into a world of shifters, witches, ghosts and romance...

Ainsley Connor has turned her back on her past.

Her perfect life as a successful real estate agent in Manhattan makes her memories of growing up as the daughter of a werewolf seem like a dream. But when a tragic accident forces her back to her unusual hometown, she can't repress her inner wolf any longer.

Worse, the pack needs her to settle down and pick a mate. But how can she choose when the tiny college town is full of sexy shifters, all vying for her attention?

And the shifters aren't even the strangest thing about Tarker's Hollow...

˃˃˃ In Episode 1...
Ainsley Connor is on a mission to get back to the penthouses of Manhattan before the full moon. Will the pack manage to stake their claim on her before it's too late?

˃˃˃ In Episode 2...
Ainsley learns about the danger facing the pack, and discovers that someone she trusts is hiding a dark secret. Will she be able to restrain the beast inside as it struggles to break free?

˃˃˃ A Continuing Story...
Curse of the Alpha: Episodes 1 & 2 are the first novellas in the Curse of the Alpha serial. Think of them like episodes of a TV show. They tell their own story, but you will need to read more parts to get the full tale of Ainsley Connor, a female werewolf, and her struggle to come to terms with her past, and accept her true nature and her role in the future of the pack. It is romance with sex, and is NOT intended for readers under the age of 18.

If you don't like serials and/or romance with sex, then this is probably not for you!

First Sentence:
Ainsley was having the dream again.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

Episode 1:
Ainsley is back in her home town after years of being gone. Ainsley is determined to finish cleaning out her parents home, get it on the market, without a large amount of social interaction and get back to her life in New York before the next full moon. The wolves need an Alpha though. Her father was the pack Alpha and being the Alpha's daughter, her lineage is what makes the next Alpha emerge, by picking him to be her mate. Many would do anything to be Alpha. But there is one she knew when she was young that even though drawn to her, cares what happens to her. But Ainsley doesn't think he's her type.

Addison has a young feel to her voice. She sounds as she's talking to me full of enthusiasm and emotion, and through the strong persona of Ainsley. She does do some vocal differentiation for characters as we meet new ones.

Ainsley's attractions rise while she's home. She has a terrible memory of the first time she turned and the lose of her boyfriend at the time has haunted her since. But she starts to wonder what it would be like to be with a man who's another wolf and she wouldn't have to worry about losing her control and harming him. But she's determined this is not her.

The story feels fast from the start. I feel like the story is a tad rushed. It makes me anxious. Addison doesn't seem to be reading with a quick pace, but maybe it's the anxiety in her voice or Ainsley's anxiety of being home coming through. It could be the swift movement of the story too.

We get the story through the eyes of Ainsley and Eric. Eric is a handsome wolf that went to school with Ainsley, and was close to her in elementary school. But things changed and the Alpha, Ainsley's father, made it known that Ainsley was off limits to all. Eric now finds himself attracted to Ainsley and his wolf rising for Ainsley's attentions. Eric knows he's not the type of man Ainsley wants, but he's still drawn to her. Eric's concerned for Ainsley's safety and jealous of others with her.

In this first episode I found that Ainsley sounds like an ungrateful snob and only sees the man candy outside of the men around her. I know she's said she's a type A personality, but I hope she warms up some and grows as a character. I don't even feel much emotion from her for her parents deaths. She hasn't been home in years, so has she grown cold or does she have a barrier up inside to protect from the hurt, like when Brian died?

At the end of this first episode I am left thinking of the tv show Bitten. A strong female who wants NOTHING to do with being a wolf and to love a human. She'll fight to make it so. But! Ainsley is much more naive in the ways of wolves and pack than Elena is at this point. Ainsley is blind in the wolf ways.


Episode 2:
Someone has broken into Ainsley's home. And then her fathers study at the College. Who is it and what do they want? Ainsley tries to get things tied up with her parents estate so she can leave sooner than later as the male wolves are reacting to her presence, and she doesn't want anything to do with Alpha.

The episode doesn't feel as rushed to me. I think Ainsley's anxiety of being home and wanting to leave was coming through Addison's voice with precision. Addison feels relaxed here, but still has a strong personality for Ainsley.

Ainsley is growing on me. She's strong in her determination and doesn't want to break from what she wants. I'm starting to think this is the Alpha material in her. She is feeling the draw of the handsome men around her, and she's noting it to herself now too. I think it has to do with the need for an Alpha in the pack and her lineage pushing to fill that gap, by her finding a strong mate. Though, at the end of this episode, I felt as if Ainsley is making a decision that is out of her normal ways and thinking. I don't know if it's all the hormones rushing around with the need for Alpha that's drawing her to this, she has mentioned that she's acting differently and her wolf is closer to the surface here so maybe it's the draw.

Oh Eric! Good grief. There is an attraction between Eric and Ainsley that Ainsley is fighting hard against. Though, her mind starts to drift to thinking about him and the vision of him naked in her home. Ainsley also starts to distance herself from the perfect relationship with Julian. Julian is human and Ainsley fears a dream she had, awaking the thought of what could happen to Julian.

Ainsley starts to see the importance of an Alpha in this area when Eric tells her of the property the pack owns and what would happen if other wolf packs find they are weak without an Alpha to protect them. All here could be lost.

We start to see the world open up more here. Grace, a dear friend of Ainsley's from school, arrives to take the report and check out the house after a break-in. She also brings a new element to the world, contacting the deceased. And in the end there is a hint of magic.

I think the decision Ainsley is jumping to at the end of this episode will be one she's going to struggle with. I'm curious if she does with the change or with her choice with what she'll do to who's in front of her (if she gets that far). It feels out of character for her so quickly. I know the wolf is becoming ever more present in her and that's mentioned, but this feels like a jump for her. Maybe if there was more build up to it, it would fit but these episodes are short and quick moving.



Each episode does end on a cliffhanger moment, but it's good to know that complete 6 series of episodes are ready to dive into.

Very sensual story. Romance and sexual. It seems Ainsley's hormones are on overdrive. This story is definitely for adult reading/listening. There are descriptive sex scenes present. The story starts off early with the sensual moment, so if you are listening at work put head phones in.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Audio Book Review: Remnants and Shadows

Remnants and Shadows

By:  Jacob Cooper

Publish Date:  June 9, 2015, Audiobook June 15, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 1 hrs 40 mins
Narrated By:  Michael Kremer

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  .75 novella in The Dying Lands Chronicles series; 1st Book ~ Altar of Influence: The Orsarian War

Impression:  Deeper outcomes of an important moment.

Synopsis:
This short story takes place during the timeline of Altar of Influence: The Orsarian War. The reader is highly encouraged to read the afore mentioned title first.

Thannuel and Moira have been promised to each other since birth. Just as they are growing, both as individuals and together, the Marishee probe deep into Arlethia and strike at House Kerr, attempting to abduct Thannuel and assassinate Moira. While the attempt barely fails, it leaves them questioning their relationship and deeply contemplating their future together.

Amnoch, master of the hold guard for House Kerr and member of the furtive Gyldenal Order, sets out on a quest to discover more about the Marishee, disciples of the enigmatic Thoulden-sha, the Oracle of Mari-shaden. As The Resurgence continues to gain traction among the people of Senthara, Amnoch’s mission unwittingly becomes a fulcrum between the Living Light and The Ancient Dark. Remnants of things long forgotten since The Turning Away lie hidden and await him, shadows of an unknown threat too great to ignore.

First Sentence:
The air burned in Moira's lungs as she ran hand-in-hand with Kalisa.

Purchase At:
Amazon

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, at my request.

The night that started as a lovely date and ended in a battle for Thannuel and Artious also was an important night to Moira. She realized she loves Thannuel and she wants to marry him. But does he feel the same for her? She thinks so, from the look of fear for her when they were attacked and how he put himself in harms way so she could get away. Amnoch also goes on his own mission, seeing new sides of the world.

Michael's voice gives me shivers, the good shivers, when I listen to him. Michael enhanced the touching moments between Thannuel and Moira. Such a lovely moment. *sigh* His voice was full of emotion. Then when he was in the moment of dispair or trouble, his voice deepens in emotion and sound to go with the words and set of the moment. I liked the echo he added to the Desert Wraths as well, but I wished he'd followed through all the moments the Desert Wraths spoke with the echo. Nice touch to catch the listeners attention.

When I first started this short story I wasn't sure where in the time of the first book, Altar of Influence: The Orsarian War, this would be placed. It only took a few moments for it to click into place. This is after the attack in the alley where Thannuel learns of an ability he's able to do when fighting.

This world has a long history with the Living Light, The Ancient Dark, The Ancients, and Those Forgotten. I'm slowly learning pieces and the history, but I want more. This short story does start to draw new pieces to the fold. We get glimpses of the economy of the area along with widening the world and history with clans and The Ancients. We also get to see a new creature of the land. It's interesting the way they are connected and in so bring some light to the world along with more curiosity for what was and what will come.

This short story has an emotional feel to it. All good, bringing us closer to the characters and fills in a few tiny holes we are curious about with the characters. Amnoch makes me smile when he talks of the two boys, Thannuel and Artious. We see touching moments for both couples mixed with humor as well. I loved the balance of the love and fun between all four; Thannuel, Moira, Artious, and Kalisa. We get to see how Thannuel feels of his mind splitting when he talks to Artious about it. He also talks of how he's coping with what he's learned, which is still a struggle.

I'm becoming more and more curious of the world and history here, along with what is to come of Thannuel and Artious. Those two men are special, and I'm wanting to see where life goes for them. But I'm curious of this fantasy world and want to learn what I can. I look forward to continuing with the series.